The following statement was read in the House of Assembly today by the Honourable Derrick Bragg, Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture:

Speaker, it is my pleasure to highlight the recent efforts of Resource Enforcement Officer, Ryan Collier. Earlier this fall, and with support from his colleagues, Officers Ryan Knott and Mitchell Gillingham, Officer Collier rescued seven pilot whales that had beached themselves near the community of Embree.

Upon arriving at the scene, Officer Collier identified eight whales, seven alive and one deceased, which were exhibiting signs of distress and extreme exhaustion. He determined immediate action was required to save the animals.

After learning officials with Fisheries and Oceans Canada were unable to respond in a timely manner, Officer Collier initiated a rescue of each the whales which took over three hours to complete.

Speaker, many of us have seen photos showing Officer Collier up to his waist in cold ocean water and maneuvering a whale so it was able to return to sea – a process which he repeated seven times.

Officer Collier’s efforts have deservedly received many accolades from across Canada and his work was even featured on CBC’s The National as the ‘feel good moment of the day’.

The actions of Officer Collier reflect the approach and attitude of the dedicated members of our department who work every day in all parts of the province to sustain our wildlife resources on behalf Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.

Speaker, I ask all members to join me in congratulating Officers Collier, Knott, and Gillingham for going above and beyond the call of duty.

Thank you.